Wildwood artists showcased in coffeehouse

Estee Taylor is hoping to get her community involved in an upcoming music and arts event.

The Wildwood Park resident has taken on the task of organizing a coffeehouse and variety jam at Wildwood Park Community Centre on Sat., Jan.19.

DANI FINCH

Estee Taylor will be performing with her marionette puppets at the coffee house and variety jam at the Wildwood Park Community Centre.

Taylor, a marionettist, performed with her marionette puppets at the last coffeehouse event held several years ago.

"I hadn’t seen one for a while and thought it would be neat to bring it back," she said.

Taylor said the event is crucial to bringing community members together. She said the centre held several music and arts showcases in the past, but there hasn’t been one for a while.

"I think it’s important that people get involved in their communities. Sometimes (Wildwood) feels like it’s dying," she said.

Taylor hopes the event will help revive the neighbourhood. She put out the call for submissions, keeping an open mind to all types of performers and artists.

"We’ll be featuring music and art, and we may even get a juggler. I wanted to have something different," Taylor said.

Many of the performers and artists hail from the Wildwood Park community, but Taylor said she’s brought in some outside performers as well.

Wildwood Park visual artist Natasha Lowenthal will have some pieces on display, and Taylor’s hoping other artists will follow suit.

Taylor said she expects the show will last about 90 minutes including an intermission and coffee and snacks will be available.

The event is an opportunity for Taylor herself to perform with her hand-carved marionettes, a group of several puppets which she calls Jazz on a String.

Taylor has been a marionettist for more than a decade and began her career while still living in Europe. While there aren’t many marionettists in Canada, she hasn’t been shy about introducing her friends to a new audience.

She’s performed at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, the Winnipeg Children’s Festival and other events around the city. She also takes part in school performances and workshops.

Taylor said the upcoming coffeehouse is something to look forward to.

"There’s lots of good, high quality entertainment," she said, noting the $3 cover charge will be tough to beat.

All funds raised will go back to the Wildwood Park Community Centre.

The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and Taylor said she’s hoping to see many members of the Wildwood Park community in attendance.

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